William "Bill" W. Cushing

On Sunday, January 17, 2021, Bill Cushing, loving husband, father and grandfather met his Savior at the age of 70. He was born in Scottsbluff, NE on July 24,1950 to Carroll M. Cushing and Emily Jane Cushing Hall.Bill spent his childhood growing up in Scottsbluff, Nebraska and graduated from Scottsbluff High School in 1968. Bill continued his education at Nebraska Western College starting in the fall of 1968. On February 28, 1970,he married his high school sweetheart, Mary L. Van Kirk in Gering, NE. Together they shared 51 years of marriage.In 1972, he received his degree in Business from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in August.Their first child, David, was born on September 10, then on December 1, he was drafted into the United States Army.He was stationed in Sinop, Turkey where he served in the Intelligence Division. After his service in the Army, he worked in the grocery business. Bill and Mary welcomed their second child, Laurie, on September 6, 1977. Bill worked in stores in Cedar Rapids, IA, Grand Island, NE, Schuyler, NE, and Sundance, WY.In 1997, he and Mary settled in Pine Bluffs, WY where he would eventually finish his over 40 years of working in the Grocery Industry. He retired in October 2019 after 22 years of service as the General Manager at Texas Trail Market.He was loved and respected in every town that he and Mary lived. Bill spent much of his free time helping others in the community.In each town he lived, he served on a variety of committees and community organizations.Bill was a school board member, member of the JayCees, an elected official of the Conservation District, a member of the American Legion, the Lion’s Club, and Wyoming Municipalities Power Agency, (WAMPA). He was also on the Pine Bluffs Town Council for 12 years, and a member of the Church Council at the Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church.He enjoyed helping others and being an integral part of each community he lived in. He will be missed and remembered for his kind and kindred spirit.In addition to his kindness and compassion, he could always be counted on to add some humor, wittiness, and playfulness to any situation. Bill was a devoted husband, supportive father, hard worker and beloved friend. He enjoyed spending time with family and helping others.He loved bowling, enjoying movies, traveling and spending time with friends and family, especially his grandkids.Bowling, along with his work with WAMPA, took Bill and Mary on many trips and adventures.Bill spent time fishing with his friends and grandsons.He was a wonderful father to David and Laurie, and an amazing father-in-law for Laura. Bill was always there for love, support and added comic relief when needed.He enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up and was always an encouraging voice. He will continue to be their guardian angel helping them and leading them along the way.He was known to his nieces and nephews as the fun loving Uncle Bill. He was a loving brother, brother-in-law and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. In his last few years his faith became even stronger.Bill truly was a servant of his Lord, and prayed daily for those in need. His faith was an inspiration to many, and was a pillar of strength that his friends and loved ones would always turn to for comfort and support. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Mary L. Cushing of Pine Bluffs, his son and daughter-in-law, David J. and Laura L. Cushing of Omaha, NE; daughter, Laurie E. Cushing Smith of Herriman, UT; grandchildren,Mason M. and Madilyn M. Cushing of Omaha; Braden T. and Chaisley E. Smith of Herriman, UT; sister Carole Jane Grady of Sutton, NE, brother Charles Hall of Scottsbluff, NE; aunt Pat Anloff of Carmel, California; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dick and Sherry Blaha of Gering; many nieces and nephews along with special friends Gary and Diane Vitamvas of Orange City, IA. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather, Jay Hall Jr.; his beloved brother Jeff Cushing, and his much loved in-laws Maurice and Maxine Van Kirk. Due to COVID, the funeral service will be for family only.It will be held on Saturday, January 23, at 1:00 pm at the Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church.The service will be available to be viewed online through the church’s Facebook page PB-United-Methodist-Church.Memorials may be sent to the Cheyenne Animal Shelter or Pine Bluffs United Methodist Church.